IND vs WI: Ishan Kishan To Replace Rishabh Pant As The Permanent Test Wicketkeeper Hints Rohit Sharma

Throwing his support behind Ishan Kishan, India skipper Rohit Sharma has said that the young wicketkeeper-batsman deserves to be backed because of his potential.

Ishan Kishan finally made his Test debut last week during the first IND vs WI Test in Dominica. The highly-rated wicketkeeper-batsman earned his maiden Test call-up during the home series against Australia earlier this year and was also a part of the squad for the World Test Championship Final.

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However, he did not get the chance to play any Test as the Indian team management preferred KS Bharat. Ishan Kishan finally got his chance in Dominica and did well behind the stumps. With the bat, he could score only 1 before Rohit Sharma declared the innings.

Rohit Sharma backs Ishan Kishan:

While many believe that Ishan Kishan won’t be given an extended run in the Test team once Rishabh Pant returns, Rohit Sharma has suggested otherwise. Praising the youngster’s aggressive batting style, the India captain has said that he has high expectations from him and will be getting more opportunities in Tests to prove himself.

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“Ishan is a very talented guy. We’ve seen it in the short career that he’s had for India. He recently made 200 runs in limited-overs (ODI against Bangladesh last December). He has the game and the talent and we have to harness that talent. So we need to give (him) opportunities. He’s a left-handed batter and likes to play a lot of aggressive cricket,” said Rohit Sharma.

“I have had a clear conversation with him on how I want him to play and have given him complete freedom. He has the game and if he wants a bit of freedom to express himself, then that is our job. We will do that with Ishan,” he added.

Speaking further, Rohit Sharma praised Ishan Kishan for his wicketkeeping in the first Test against West Indies. On a slow and sluggish pitch, the debutant impressed one and all with his glove work including his captain.

“I will like to speak specifically about his wicket-keeping. He kept really, really well considering he played his first Test and to keep against Ashwin and Jadeja where the ball is turning and bouncing and some balls keeping low as well… I was very impressed with his keeping skills.

“Unfortunately he got to score just one run as we had to declare. We want that our top-order batters bat long. If the opportunity comes (to bat long), he (Ishan) is raring to go,” said Rohit Sharma.

Meanwhile, the second and final match of the series against West Indies will be played in Trinidad from July 20. India are leading the series after winning the first Test by an innings and 141 runs.

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